Natural coffees can go in all sorts of directions. Some lean into big, tropical fruit flavours, while others develop a deeper, sweeter character. This Parainema from Tres Cascadas in Honduras sits somewhere in between, bringing together the juicy sweetness of blueberry, the crispness of apple, and a comforting hazelnut finish. It’s a more understated take on a natural coffee, where the fruit is present without taking over the whole cup.

Grown in the La Paz region of Honduras at around 1,800 metres above sea level, this coffee comes from the Parainema variety. Originally developed in Central America, Parainema is known for its distinctive character and its ability to produce expressive coffees when grown and processed with care. At this altitude, the cherries develop slowly, giving the beans time to build the sweetness and complexity that make this lot interesting.

For this coffee, the cherries are naturally processed, meaning they’re dried with the fruit still surrounding the beans. As the cherries dry, their sugars and fruit compounds contribute to the coffee’s sweetness and flavour. It’s a process that can bring out bold, fruity characteristics, but the result depends on how carefully the coffee is handled throughout drying. Here, the aim is a more balanced cup, allowing the fruit to complement the coffee rather than overpower it.

In the cup, expect crisp apple sweetness, soft blueberry fruitiness, and a rounded hazelnut finish. The apple keeps things fresh, while the blueberry adds a gentle juiciness, balanced by the familiar, nutty sweetness of hazelnut. With a lighter body and gentle acidity, this is an approachable natural that doesn’t need to shout to make an impression. Sweet, smooth, and quietly fruity, it’s a lovely reminder that sometimes the most interesting coffees are the ones that keep things simple.